Exploring the Depth of Campfire Songs: A Dive into “House of the Rising Sun”
The term “campfire song” typically evokes images of familiar tunes strummed around a fire, but in this series, we broaden that scope. Whether indoors or out, these songs, including “House of the Rising Sun,” offer rich musical histories.
This selection, with its cautionary tale set in New Orleans, gained prominence through the Animals’ 1964 rock rendition. However, its roots delve much deeper, reaching back to early 20th-century folk traditions with European origins. While the melody remains consistent, the accompanying chords have evolved over time. Early renditions, such as Clarence Ashley and Gwen Foster’s “Rising Sun Blues” and Woody Guthrie’s interpretation, leaned towards Appalachian folk or blues styles. Other notable versions include Josh White’s introspective solo and Ronnie Gilbert’s jazzy arrangement with the Weavers.
In line with the series’ ethos, our arrangement remains straightforward, utilizing open and first position chords: Am, C/G, D/F#, and F (fretted with a full barre), creating a descending bass pattern (A, G, F#, F). Basic open C and E shapes are also employed.
The song follows a 6/8 time signature, characterized by six eighth notes per bar. If unfamiliar, playing along with the video can aid in grasping the rhythm. I prefer a flatpick approach, incorporating strums and single notes as transcribed in the first eight measures. However, simpler strumming or basic fingerpicking patterns are equally viable options.
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